Abe – Dream of the Cherry Blossoms

This piece, for solo marimba, is one of Keiko Abe’s most famous compositions. Central to the piece is the traditional Japanese song “Sakura.” This song is played and varied in endless ways throughout. Also integral to the piece is a sixteenth note ostinato, played in the left hand, that is seen whenever the Sakura theme reoccurs. The piece features a challenging and virtuosic cadenza, and many sections of fast and loud playing. Though a very hard and sometimes flashy piece, there is much musical content to be found in it as well.